Red Sox's Kiner-Falefa Starts, Mayer's Role Evolves

0:00On March 26, the Boston Red Sox opened their season with Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, starting at second base instead of the highly touted Marcelo Mayor. Manager Alex Cora made it clear this was a strategic move, giving Mayor an extra day to ease back after risk surgery that ended his last year early. Kiner-Falefa has been swinging the bat well lately, which factored into the decision. Cora plans to mix in Meyer later in games, letting both players contribute as the season unfolds. Cora plans no mayor's potential from his minor league days, where he hit 273 over 315 games, with 46 home runs, 2, 105 RBI's and 48 stolen bases. His brief big league stint last year was tougher at 228, with just 4 homers and 10 RBI's in 44 games. The Red Sox still see mayor as their every day second baseman heading into 2026, barring any setbacks. That opening day choice won't change their long term faith in him. Expect to see mayor take the field plenty this year as he builds momentum, setting the

1:03stage for a bigger role down the road. That's your update from Boston Red Sox News today, powered by AI.